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FIRE UP!

Coach Ron Gunn is a retired college track coach following his passion to lead ordinary people to experience the extraordinary.  He was a college quarterback and an avid runner including 5 marathons under 3 hours.  

He had a winning track program at SMC, he created one of the first Extreme Sports programs and had a successful adult training program.  100's of Michiana area adults became runners and have ran a marathon after his training.  

Now he's hike training for adventure travel experiences.  100's of Cairn Stone alumni have completed extreme hikes in spectacular locations worldwide.  

He is your travel guide.  

He is your personal coach.

Two ways to join:  Join a Travel Team (Utah) or as a Training Partner.

This eight month hike training program was modeled after Ron Gunn and Hal Higdon's very successful progressive overload marathon training program.  

Fine tuned for over a decade it is now a proven system for extreme hike training. (extreme hikes are 8 hours or more and can be marathon distances.)

Each major trip has a core hiking challenge (such as Grand Canyon Rim to Rim) that a select few will take on.  Extreme hike candidates must prove they are ready at two Test Hikes before taking an extreme hike.

Most of our travelers are moderate hikers with moderate goals.  They will not be dissapointed as the majority of hikes at destination are moderate. (moderate hikes take 4 hours or less)

Most will set a moderate goal less than required for an extreme hike challenge.

Every travel opportunity provides 

options for every level of ability.  

Novice hikers will find this to be a  helpful and rewarding program.  A lecture before every biweekly hike builds your knowledge base of techniques and skills needed 

for safe backcountry hiking while 

building your fitness level.  

Those not traveling to our major hike destination will register as

Training Partners  with an annual fee.

Training is included for the year you travel.

Utah: 2020 and 2021 training hikes

Grand Canyon: 2022 training hikes

Scotland: 2023 training hikes

Training Partner annual fee is $100.

Our Training Partners enjoy the same 

training program and hiking courses as our travel team members.  

Training Partners join for their own goals.  Some for general fitness.  Some love to hike or want to learn.  Others have their own hiking destinations planned.  

All team members enjoy biweekly hikes on a variety of interesting venues.  After snow is gone all our hikes are on trails in wooded or rustic areas.  

All team members will have access to the proprietary training information on this website (password required to open documents).

NO 2020 TEST HIKES

OPTION: JORDAN RIVER VALLEY

Bonus Hike

This June Test Hike is your first opportunity to prove your fitness level  both to yourself and to your coach.  The course location and distance may vary year to year.  The courses are selected for the current year program goals.  Some extreme hikes are tougher than others and some are remote in wilderness so have higher risk factors to consider.  Your successful completion of this Test Hike means you are on track.  This Test Hike may also be a wake up call if you need to work harder to be ready for the final Test Hike.

2020 TEST HIKES ARE BONUS HIKES

(Utah trip postponed to 2021)

To prepare for a successful Test Hike your biweekly goal is always to hike the max distance in the time allotted (see Training Schedule).  This will give you the greatest assurance you are at the fitness level needed for a successful final Test Hike.  

An extreme hikes may require a skill set and fitness level greater than marathon running.  Your skills and fitness level will be challenged; rehydration, electrolyte and carbohydrate supplementation, body temp regulation, and hiking techniques.  

With the right gear and skills you will do this well and have confidence in meeting your  hike challenge ahead at destination.  Coach Gunn knows how to prepare you well.